Authors visit UCplus Language Center in the heart of Copenhagen

During the first months of 2025, UCplus will host several Danish authors at its Language Center on Gyldenløvesgade in Copenhagen. Here, students will have a unique opportunity to meet the authors and explore their works up close.

“I want to bring my background as an author into play,” says Janus Kodal, who has 30 years of experience as a writer. “Authors provide the raw material for language, text, and speech, and it’s important that we give students access to Danish culture through literature.”

The authors will read from their books, share the stories behind them, and engage in dialogues with the students. The first guest in January will be author and cultural journalist Lucia Odoom. Her novel Cosmos takes readers on a journey through the themes global inequality, friendship, and love. With Ghanaian roots, Lucia Odoom has established herself as a prominent voice in the fight against racism, and her unique perspective on culture and literature will launch the project.

In March, the humorous author and poet Henrik Palle will visit the Language Center. Known as a cultural journalist at Politiken, he brings sharp and humorous insights into life during the pandemic and in Copenhagen through his collection Late Poems. His ability to capture everyday moments will undoubtedly captivate the students.

Language and Culture Go Hand in Hand

For Janus Kodal, it is crucial to connect students with Danish culture. “We want to present a diversity of literature—both books that speak directly to our target group and literature reflecting contemporary Danish culture,” he explains. “My hope is that

students not only learn Danish but are also inspired to read more Danish literature or even write their own stories.”

He also emphasizes the importance of introducing students to literature they might not otherwise encounter. “When you come to Denmark, there’s often so much practical stuff to handle that culture can take a backseat. With this project, we hope to open the door to literature and provide students with a broader perspective on Denmark,” he says.

Facts About “Learn Danish Through Literature”

The project is supported by the Danish Arts Foundation. The author visits will take place in the lounge at UCplus Language Center on Gyldenløvesgade.

The events are open for everyone, and not exclusive to students of the Language Center:

Wednesday, January 8, at 5 PM: Meet Lucia Odoom

Author Lucia Odoom presents her novel Cosmos—a story about global inequality, friendship, and love. Lucia Odoom is a cultural journalist and author with Ghanaian roots. In 2020, she received the Edvard Prize and was named Radio Personality of the Year for her efforts against racism.

Wednesday, March 5, at 5 PM: Meet Henrik Palle

Poet Henrik Palle reads and shares insights about his Late Poems—humorous reflections on life in Copenhagen and during the pandemic. Henrik Palle is a cultural journalist at the Danish newspaper Politiken.

All events will take place in the lounge at Gyldenløvesgade 11.

No registration required.

Explore all UCplus events here

Chuying from China and Leonie from Germany were the lucky winners of MacBooks in UCplus’ welcome competition for international students.

Denmark is a popular choice for students from around the world

Leonie, 19, from Flensburg, Germany, and Chuying, 27, from Lanzhou, China, have both chosen to spend part of their studies in Denmark. Leonie, who is studying Economics and Business Administration at SDU Sønderborg, was drawn to Danish culture and the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.

“I have always felt safe and comfortable in Denmark, and SDU in Sønderborg felt like the right choice. When I visited the university for the first time, everyone was so welcoming, and I immediately felt it would be a great place to study.”

For Chuying, who studies Electrical Engineering at DTU in Lyngby, the decision to study in Copenhagen and learn Danish was an investment in her future, as she plans to work in Denmark after completing her degree.

Learning Danish opens doors

Learning Danish was an important decision for both Leonie and Chuying. Leonie says she sees it as a natural part of integrating into Danish society.

“When I move to a new country, I want to speak the language and understand the culture. For me, it’s about respect and gaining a deeper understanding of the country I live in. I want to stay here after my studies, and therefore I need the language skills,” she says.

For Chuying, the decision to start Danish classes was motivated by both practical and social reasons.

“Everything from road signs to supermarket items is in Danish, and it’s impractical to rely on Google Translate. Plus, I want to be able to communicate with my Danish friends.”

The Best Things About Denmark

Leonie and Chuying agree that their experiences in Denmark have been filled with positive impressions and new friendships.

“The Danish lessons are really fun and educational. Our teacher makes the classes interesting with lots of different activities, and we also learn a lot about Danish culture,” says Leonie.

Chuying adds: “My teacher is friendly and patient, and we practice speaking, reading, and writing in Danish. It’s fun to learn, and I’ve also made new friends in the course.”

Danish Classes Help You Master the Language

Are you an international student – or just new to Denmark? Do you also want to learn Danish and join the UCplus community?

We offer the three official Danish language programs, giving you access to official exams and a great start in Denmark. The programs are offered at three levels, and each level consists of six modules. You will be placed in the level that matches your educational background and qualifications.

Read more about the Danish language programs and sign up here.

Learning Danish in different settings

Language consultant Rikke Jepsen teaches a group of DU1 students (The Danish Education programme 1). For many, it has been a long time since they last attended school, and the group spans a wide age range. The students come from countries such as Ukraine, Eritrea, China, and Lithuania, and for them, learning Danish is not the only challenge—they also need to develop learning strategies and understand Danish culture.

They attend Danish classes twice a week from 8:15 AM-to 2:45 PM, which can feel like a long time for some. To make the days more varied and provide the best support, Rikke puts effort into planning diverse activities for the students.

To introduce them to different aspects of Danish culture, Rikke organizes small excursions. One of these was a recent visit to the Silkeborg Library, where the students learned about the many opportunities a modern Danish library offers.

An important introduction to Danish Culture and Society

The library visit was an eye-opener for the students, who discovered that a library in Denmark is much more than just books. “I wanted to show them what a Danish library can offer and explain that it’s part of our welfare system, funded through taxes,” explains Rikke Jepsen.

The students visited the section for easy-reading books and were allowed to choose books for themselves. Many immediately sat down and began reading with great concentration.

“Their joy in choosing books themselves and their pride in being able to read something in Danish has strengthened the team spirit within the group. The library trip has kickstarted their desire to read, which boosts both their linguistic confidence and social bonds,” says Rikke Jepsen.

Language Center Director Sarah S. Johnsen is thrilled that the center makes use of the local resources. Not only does it help students practice their Danish, but it also supports their integration into the community.

“The visit to Silkeborg Library is an example of how excursions can enrich Danish lessons and provide students with a better understanding of both the language and Danish culture. This is a focus area for all UCplus Language Centers, as it encourages students’ motivation to learn Danish.”

About UCplus Language Center Silkeborg

The language center offers Danish lessons at all levels of the official Danish Education program, both at the center on Dalgasgade, in local businesses, and online. This means you can participate in the program wherever and whenever it suits you best.

The program is offered at three levels, each consisting of six modules. You will be placed at the level that matches your years of schooling and qualifications.

If you want to get started, call us at +45 3127 4540

Investing in employees’ well-being and language development

Thirty-six international employees have enrolled in the program, eager to improve their Danish language skills. To ensure an appropriate starting point, language consultants from UCplus screened all participants to assess their language proficiency levels.

Christina Cheeseman, an IT project coordinator in the IT and Digital department and project coordinator for this initiative, sees it as an important effort.

“We want to invest in our employees’ well-being and support the integration of our international employees. We know that the better they thrive, the more likely they are to stay with us, which benefits us all.”

UCplus offers specially tailored Danish courses

To provide the right level of instruction, two classes were created, and participants received text books. The books allow students to work independently between sessions, gaining a deeper understanding of grammar and thematic topics and the classes focus on improving the employees’ spoken and written Danish, and on enhancing their vocabulary.

Through conversations and language games, employees expand their Danish vocabulary and improve communication skills, giving them more confidence to speak Danish at work.

Strong focus on everyday language and understanding Danish culture

Employees work on everything from typical conversational topics to presenting their work tasks. There is also a focus on subjects related to Danish society, helping participants better understand their surroundings and navigate daily life.

The instruction is structured so that employees actively use their Danish in various contexts, explains language consultant Agnete Poulsen, who teaches the beginner class.

“We teach every Wednesday afternoon, working with a broad range of language exercises. The employees practice everything from everyday conversations with colleagues to more formal presentations of their work tasks.”

Language consultant Karen Pilgaard adds that the teaching isn’t just about language skills but also about understanding Danish culture and social conditions.

“We read and discuss texts covering topics like the structure of parliament and the role of unions in Denmark. This gives the employees a deeper insight into how Danish society works, which is an essential part of their integration.”

Sruthi expands her Danish vocabulary at work and in daily life

Sruthi Vegesna Indukuri, originally from India, has been working at Salling Group for a year and a half and is very pleased that IT and Digital initiated the Danish lessons.

“My colleagues speak Danish, and I really want to improve so I can communicate more with them,” she shares.

Sruthi, who began as a backend developer and now works as a frontend developer on projects such as Bilka-to-go’s website, says the lessons have boosted her motivation to speak Danish both at work and in her private life.

“Our instructor is great, and there’s a really good atmosphere in the class. We do a lot of group tasks and games where we speak a lot of Danish. It makes a real difference to practice the language so intensively—both in the lessons and at home, where we can practice on ucplus.dk.”

How to get Danish lessons in the Workplace

UCplus offers a variety of flexible solutions for workplace Danish lessons. Instruction can take place on-site, at the nearest language center, or online.

UCplus handles all coordination and provides skilled instructors who deliver lessons tailored to the employees’ language levels.

It’s also possible to apply for compensation for lost work hours if lessons occur during work hours, a process UCplus assists with.

Read more here.

Barbara and Tanja both came to Denmark without knowing a word of Danish, but they worked hard to learn the language at UCplus in Ringkøbing. They became so proficient that they took the next step and now teach at the Language Centre themselves.

Barbara knows what the students need

Barbara Malgorzata Gluzek-Kret has lived in Denmark for 15 years. She moved to Ringkøbing from Poland because her husband got a job as a paramedic with Falck. She came with a master’s degree in linguistics from the University of Warsaw and experience as a German teacher, and she was very motivated to learn Danish.

“I didn’t know what type of job I could get, but I wanted to continue teaching, and I knew that it was going to be important that I got to learn Danish,” says Barbara.

Barbara completed the Danish Education Program DU3 in just 2.5 years and then got a job as a primary school teacher in the subjects of mathematics and German. After five years, she felt the need to try something new, so she applied for a job as a language consultant at UCplus’ Language Centre in Ringkøbing. She says it was a really good decision because in this job, even more than before, she can draw on her knowledge of linguistics and her own experiences with learning Danish:

“I remember what I missed and found difficult when I was learning Danish, and therefore I know what the students need. Many of them feel reassured because they know that I have also gone through the process of learning Danish.”

Tanja helped Ukrainian refugees settle in Ringkøbing

Tanja Barabanova moved to Denmark from Kyiv in 2019 when she married her Ukrainian husband. Her husband had lived in Ringkøbing for 2 years before they got married, and he had a job. Tanja also hoped to get a job quickly, but first, she had to learn Danish. She started the Danish Education Program in 2020, and things progressed quickly. She worked hard in the classes and passed the PD3 test in November 2021.

In the spring of 2022, many refugees from Ukraine began arriving, and the language Centre was looking for a teacher who could also understand Ukrainian. One of UCplus’ teachers encouraged Tanja to apply for the position. She didn’t believe she could get the job, but she did, and it has opened many new doors for her.

“I am so glad I got the job. Teaching is going well, and now I’ve started helping with all kinds of tasks, from placement assessments to translation assignments. And for the Ukrainian students, I’m someone who can help with all sorts of things. I really enjoy having so many different tasks because it means every day brings new challenges and experiences.”

Learn Danish at UCplus and open the door to new opportunities

Barbara and Tanja’s motivation to learn Danish and their willingness to keep taking on new challenges have opened many doors for them.

You can also give yourself a good start in Denmark, and UCplus will help you on your way.

We offer the three official Danish Education Programs, and you will start at the level that matches your years of schooling and qualifications.

Read more and sign up here

Language Consultants give good guidance

Moving to Denmark as a foreigner typically involves several challenges: finding a new job, housing, friends, and not least, learning a new language. At UCplus’ Language Centre in Silkeborg, they are aware of these challenges. Language Centre manager Sarah Smedemark explains, “Our language consultants have excellent relationships with the students, and if someone misses classes for any reason, we write to them saying, ‘we miss you in class.’ It’s important that they know and feel they are not just a number in a system, but that we see them as individuals, and we are eager to help them learn Danish, so they can find jobs and make friends.”

FVU: A good path to learning more Danish

Besides regular Danish courses, the Language Centre in Silkeborg also offers FVU Danish. This is education for adults wanting to improve their Danish skills, particularly those needing better competencies in the Danish language, reading, and writing.

Sorina and Alina, two students from Romania, attend a FVU class. Sorina is a housekeeping supervisor at Hotel Scandic in Silkeborg, and Alina is a cleaner in a small business. Both appreciate

the opportunity to take FVU Danish at UCplus, as their jobs do not offer many chances to practice Danish.

“It’s very important for me to attend the Language Centre because I want to improve my Danish,” Sorina explains. Alina adds, “I really enjoy the classes now. I feel that I am progressing here, and it makes me want to speak more.”

The Language Centre boosts confidence for Japanese Chihiro

In 2017, Japanese Chihiro travelled to Aarhus to study the Danish welfare system as part of her bachelor’s degree in global studies. There, she met her Danish husband. After some years in Japan, the couple decided to move back to Denmark. Chihiro started at UCplus Language Centre in August 2023 to improve her Danish. She aims to pursue a master’s degree in Denmark and wants to communicate better with her in-laws.

“I really enjoy the classes at UCplus’ Language Centre. The teachers are very kind and helpful, and I appreciate that we learn both the language and about Danish culture. I have made good friends in my Danish class, and everyone is very eager to become proficient Danish speakers. We practice a lot, and it gives me more confidence to speak with Danes,” says Chihiro.

About UCplus Language Centre Silkeborg

The Language Centre offers Danish language courses at all levels of the official Danish Education both at the centre in Dalgasgade, at local businesses, and online. This means you can participate in the Danish education whenever and wherever it suits you best.

The education is offered at three levels, and each level consists of six modules. You will be offered to start at the level that matches your years of schooling and qualifications.

The Study Exam is not offered.

If you want to start, call us on +45 3127 4540 or write an email to Language Centre Manager, Sarah Smedemark Johnsen: ssj@ucplus.dk